Member

Member

Friday, April 24, 2015

Pitching, Clutch Hitting Help Yankees Finish Successfull Road Trip

What a difference a week makes.

The Yanks took 3 of 4 in Detroit, making it a 7-3 road trip. The Tigers, the AL's best team before the Yankees hit town, have been drawn back to the pack in the AL Central somewhat. Meanwhile, the Yankees are back in the thick of it in the AL East with their performance over the last seven games. Still, they are not yet clicking on all cylinders. They won Thursday getting only three hits. So what is the main difference?

Pitching. It's been said "you're only as good as your last start" and even though that may be a bit inaccurate and perhaps a tad unfair, there is some truth to that statement.

Thursday, Tanaka made it two solid starts in a row. CC Sabathia, though 0-3, pitched like the CC of old on Monday in the Yankees only loss of the past week.

Adam Warren pitched well after a near-disastrous first inning on Wednesday. Staked to a six run lead, he gave up four walks and four runs in the first inning but settled in nicely. Maybe Warren's issue was his waiting on the Yankees to finish their 30 some minute top of the first, or the snow falling in Detroit had some effect on him in the first inning while trying to grip the ball.

Something sure had an effect on Tigers ace David Price in the first, the difference being Price never settled in and Warren did.

Nathan Eovaldi was solid in his start on Tuesday and Michael Pineda had a little struggle in his win against the Rays on Sunday, but he also appears to be on the right track. So all five starters are showing some life and pitching later into games than at the start of the season.

The bullpen has been pretty much as advertised. Dellin Betances has improved his velocity, hitting the mid-90s with his fastball and locating all his pitches. Also, Andrew Miller has settled into the closer role. Now everyone needs to stay healthy and continue to build on their recent success.

So, to be the best you have to beat the best and the Yankees certainly did, winning the series in Detroit. Now it's home and the Mets, winners of 11 straight games and the best record in baseball. Think we got 'em right where we want 'em. Hope so.